What Is a French Press?
The French press, also known as a cafetiere, is a full-immersion brewer. Ground coffee steeps directly in hot water for several minutes, then a plunger fitted with a metal mesh filter is pressed to the base of the beaker, separating the grounds from the brewed coffee above.
Unlike paper filter methods, the metal mesh allows the natural oils in coffee and fine particles to pass through into the cup. This gives French press coffee a richer texture and fuller body than pour-over or filter methods — it's a noticeably different style of cup.
Basic Recipe
Coffee: 49g, coarse French press grind (approx. 60–65g per litre of water)
Water: 750g at 95°C
Total brew time: approx. 5:00
Brewing Instructions
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Warm the French press and your mug. Heat the kettle to 95°C. Pour a little hot water into the French press and your mug to warm them, then discard.
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Add coffee and water. Place the French press on your scale. Add 49g of coarsely ground coffee, then pour 750g of hot water at 95°C over the grounds, making sure all the coffee is saturated.
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Steep for 4 minutes. Place the lid on the French press with the plunger pulled up. Leave to steep for 4 minutes without disturbing.
- Break the crust and wait. At the 4-minute mark, stir firmly to break the crust of grounds floating on the surface. Wait a further 10–15 seconds for the grounds to settle.
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Plunge slowly. Press the plunger down gently and steadily to the base of the beaker. Don't force it — if there's significant resistance, your grind may be too fine.
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Pour immediately. Pour the coffee straight away. If you're not drinking it all at once, decant the remainder into a separate jug or thermos — leaving it in the French press with the grounds will cause it to over-extract and taste bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grind size should I use for French press?
Coarse — noticeably coarser than you'd use for any filter method. The metal mesh filter in a French press has larger gaps than paper, so finer grinds will pass through and make the cup gritty. If your coffee tastes muddy or has a lot of sediment, grind coarser. See our grind size guide for reference.
Why does my French press coffee taste bitter?
The most common causes are steeping too long, grinding too fine, or water that's too hot. Start by checking your steep time — anything over 5 minutes risks over-extraction. Also make sure you're decanting the coffee immediately after plunging, rather than leaving it sitting on the grounds.
Why is there sediment in my French press coffee?
Some sediment is normal with French press — the metal mesh filter doesn't trap fine particles the way paper does. If it's excessive, try grinding coarser or waiting a little longer after stirring before plunging, to give grounds more time to settle before you press.
What coffee works best in a French press?
Medium to medium-dark roasts tend to suit the French press well. The fuller body and richer texture of a cafetiere brew complement roasty, chocolatey, or nutty coffees. Light roasts can work but the lack of paper filtration can make delicate fruit notes harder to read. Browse our full coffee range for options to try.
How does French press compare to filter coffee?
French press is full-immersion and unfiltered — the grounds steep directly in the water and the metal mesh lets oils and fine particles through. This produces a heavier, fuller-bodied cup. Filter methods like the Clever Dripper, Chemex, or Kalita Wave use paper filters, which remove those oils and produce a cleaner, lighter cup.
Can I make cold brew in a French press?
Yes. Add coarsely ground coffee and cold water at a ratio of around 1:8 (e.g. 80g coffee to 640g water), stir to combine, and leave in the fridge for 12–18 hours. Plunge and pour as normal. The result is a concentrate you can dilute to taste. See our flash brew guide for an alternative iced coffee method.
